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Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs) about the Integrated Programme
1. What is Temasek Academy? When do I apply?
• Temasek Academy (TA) is the Integrated Programme of Temasek Junior College. It is a 4-year integrated programme that takes in students at Secondary Three through to JC2, when they will sit for their GCE ‘A’ levels. Applications for this programme will be opened to Secondary Two students, typically during the months of March till May of each year. Watch for the notice on our website!
2. Is the application into Temasek Academy open to all students from all schools?
• Secondary Two students from all secondary schools should apply. We have even accepted students from other IP institutions.
3. What is the eligibility criteria for the programme?
Secondary Two students who fulfill the following criteria should apply:
• Good PSLE results
• Good Secondary 1 and 2 results
• Good CCA/CIP records (with outstanding achievements, leadership experiences and service to community)
4. Do you have other considerations for entry into the Temasek Academy?
• Exceptional Talent in Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Visual or Performing Arts and Sports (e.g. top honours or awards won nationally / internationally) may be considered.
5. What is unique about the Temasek Academy?
• Our customized curriculum, designed by our experienced JC tutors, who have created our very own copyrighted pedagogical approach, THINK© Cycle, (hyperlink to THINK website) for the teaching of sciences.
• Our customized approach to student development with strong emphasis on character development and leadership development through our 4-year character and leadership roadmap, which includes Outward Bound experiences, both local and overseas, students initiated projects and our pinnacle leadership programme - The Mazarin programme
• Our student welfare team consisting of full time counselors and a strong team of teacher counselors, ensure that students are provided with effective support to handle the rigour and demand of the course. We have 2 form teachers (civics tutors) for each TA Year 1 class, to help with their adjustment to the new learning environment.
• Our WOW! attachment programme (Wonder.Observe.Weave!); a four week period during curriculum time when students are attached to various industries, research centres or institutions of higher learning, both local and overseas.
• We offer a 4 year Chinese Language Elective Programme, a Music Elective Programme and a Higher Art Programme
• Our extended learning framework consists of an 8+2 approach, whereby 8 weeks will be dedicated to the formal curriculum and 2 weeks will be set aside for character development programmes and Inter-Disciplinary Electives (IDEs)
• Our IDEs, are a variety of cross disciplinary electives designed to take the students’ learning out of classrooms.
• All students will participate in carefully designed overseas trips that cater to the students’ areas of academic strength, be it in the Sciences, Languages or the Humanities.
• We also provide about $3000 worth of subsidies per student for assorted enrichment activities during the course of the 4 years with us
• Temasek Entrance Scholarship for 2010 TA1 students
• In addition to the heavy subsidies, successful student applicants with outstanding academic performance and good CCA contributions may be awarded the Temasek Academy Entrance Scholarship. Recipients of the award will receive S$500 a year as well as reimbursement of school fees. They will also be given opportunities to challenge and surpass personal peaks in both academic and non-academic areas.
• There are other external scholarships available to our students
6. Will the integrated curriculum put my child at a disadvantage for the A-levels since my child has not sat for the GCE ‘O’- levels?
• We started off as an ‘A’ level institution, and designed the integrated programme with this end in mind. The TA1 and TA2 syllabus is carefully designed to help your child level up to the ‘A’ level standard and requirements over the course of 4 years. Furthermore, without the distraction of the ‘O’ levels, our teachers can focus more on the teaching and learning process and developing deeper understanding of concepts instead of mere drilling and rote learning. Our first batch of IP students graduated last year with outstanding ‘A’ level results. Hence, if your child is found to be university bound and has the potential and the willingness to be stretched through a rigourous programme, the 4-years in our Integrated Programme will definitely stand him or her in BETTER stead to realize his potential and excel in both academic and non-academic areas.
7. What are the major thrusts/philosophical underpinnings of the Integrated Programme?
• The design of the Temasek Academy curriculum supports integrative and inter-disciplinary learning extending 'Beyond Basics' through the core curriculum, 'Beyond Boundaries' through extended learning and student development through 'Beyond Self'. It aims towards ‘Temasek Excellence’, achieving greatness in intellect and character and leadership.
8. Is Temasek Academy a science school? (for eg. My child wants to go into the Science stream in his current secondary school.)
• We still offer breadth in terms of subject offerings in IP year 1. Your child will be exposed to all the sciences, as well as the humanities. Should your child wish to concentrate on the sciences or humanities, he will be able to do so from second year onwards, though a contrasting subject will still be required.
9. With all the enrichment programmes, attachments and specialized courses on offer, in addition to the small class size and highly qualified teachers; does your school therefore charge high school fees like that of independent schools?
Our school fees are very affordable, just like any other government school. Our charges are as follows:
• TA 1 & 2, per month:
• Local students/PRs – S$5 school fees + S$14 miscellaneous fees
• International students – S$160 school fees + S$14 miscellaneous fees
• JC1 & 2, per month:
• Local students/PRs – S$6 school fees + S$18 miscellaneous fees
• International students – S$240 school fees + S$18 miscellaneous fees
10. Are there financial aid programmes available to students who cannot afford the fees?
• Yes
11. Do I have to pay a lot for the overseas trips conducted during my child’s education in Temasek Junior College?
• Temasek Junior College greatly supports students during their overseas trips through a financial subsidy of up to 75%.
• Students who are unable to pay for their trips due to family circumstances can request for financial assistance in addition to the subsidy.
12. How many IP students are accepted each year?
• An average of 100 per year, depending on the number of suitable candidates selected.
13. Can my child apply to enter the Integrated Program after O levels at Secondary 4?
• Our Integrated Programme takes in students only after Secondary 2, to ensure that sufficient time is spent in TJC to nurture the whole child development (both academic and non-acad stretch)
• However, if your child is unable to enter our Integrated Programme at Secondary Two, he can still then apply to our 2-year Junior College after his O levels.
Application to Temasek Academy
1. How does my child apply to join the Temasek Academy? What is the selection process like? When can my child apply into the Integrated Programme?
• Please click here (hyperlink to admissions page) to more information about admission to Temasek Academy. Application for 2010 intake is now open till 14 May 2010.
2. Can a student apply for two different IP programmes simultaneously? (i.e. NJC IP, Raffles programme)?
• Yes.
3. What if an applicant encounters difficulty in obtaining references from their respective secondary schools?
• As references are optional, the applicant is encouraged to apply first, if needed, we will then contact the school for a verbal referral or comments on the applicant.
4. Can I ask for referral letters from more than one teacher (eg. AEP teacher, Primary school teacher) on top of the referral letters for the academic and non-academic teachers?
• Yes, if it enables us to understand you better. But this is not compulsory.
5. Can Chinese teachers write in Chinese for the reference form?
• Yes
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